HEXPOL Acquire Kirkhill Rubber

HEXPOL has announced the acquisition of Long Beach, Ca based rubber compounder Kirkhill Rubber from founder Edward Reker, his family and co-owners.

Malmo, Sweden Based HEXPOL Continues to Expand Compounding Portfolio

Kirkhill, whose business includes rubber compounds for the OTR and retreading segments as well for the aerospace and medical industries, was purchased by HEXPOL for a price of USD 49 million. The company has annual sales in the region of USD 46 million.

Kirkhill Rubber brings extensive knowledge in highly engineered elastomers and with their wide range of equipment including specialty equipment and complete laboratory testing facilities, the acquisition is expected to enhance HEXPOL’s goal to be the very best compounder.

Kirkhill Rubber’s recently acquired state of the art facility in Long Beach, California will be the sole manufacturing plant of Kirkhill. The production in Downey, California will be transferred to Long Beach and the production in Athens, Georgia will be transferred to other HEXPOL sites in the US. Thereby the facilities in Downey and Athens are not included in the transaction.

Tracy Garrison, President HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA commented; "This acquisition is a very good complement to HEXPOL Compounding in the US and broadens and strengthens our presence with Rubber Compounds by highly skilled people and advanced processes. Kirkhill’s recent purchase of the facility located in Long Beach, California further increases our ability to provide superior products and unparalleled service for our customers.”

David is the Owner and Publisher ofRetreading Business. With over 30 years' experience as a specialist tyre industry journalist, he first entered the tyre industry in 1987 as Editor ofTyres & Accessories.He was Editor ofTyre Trade Newsbetween 1993-96 before establishingRetreading Businessin 1997. In 2004 he acquired the Malaysian tyre magazine The Tyreman,before establishing Tyre & Rubber Recyclingin 2009. In addition to his publishing ventures, he was also Director of the Retread Manufacturers' Association between 2004 and 2014.